Solar farm should not harm park

Published: Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 6:40 p.m.

There does not seem to be a compelling reason for Fletcher to block a solar energy farm next to Fletcher Community Park, although the Town Council is right to get all the facts before approving the project.

John and Richard Green, co-owners of Innovative Solar Systems of Asheville, want to build the $5 million solar energy farm on land they propose to lease from farmers, across Hoopers Creek from the park.

The Greens say they’ve invested six months and roughly $50,000 in surveys, site plans, engineering studies and manhours in their 2-megawatt project off Jackson Road, only to be stymied by a single power pole. John Green says he think there is a “hidden agenda at work.”

Council members say they are concerned about the project’s potential effect on the aesthetics of the park and on a conservation easement along Hoopers Creek. Council will meet at 4 p.m. today at the park to get clear on what the easement would entail.

The developers want the town to grant an easement to allow Progress Energy to extend its power line several hundred feet toward the rear of the park. Plans originally called for placing two power poles within the park, but the Greens offered to pay to bury the lines after town officials expressed concerns. The farmers who own the lands have agreed to have it voluntarily annexed into the town, allowing Fletcher to collect property taxes on about 20 acres, plus 20 percent business taxes on an estimated $5 million in solar equipment. The developers have also offered to pay the town $25,000 for the easement.

It sounds like a good deal, but some town officials are wary. Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Harris and Councilwoman Sheila Franklin are concerned that granting the easement might allow for trees to be cut in the park. Franklin says she also wants to know how the project would impact a conservation easement owned by the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy along Hoopers Creek. She and Henderson say Green should explore other options to connect to the grid.

The developers say it would cost more than $1 million to upgrade lines on Jackson Road, and that would make the project unfeasible. Moreover, they say granting the easement will not require any trees to be cut, although they acknowledge it would require some to be trimmed.

Town Council is doing right to make sure it protects the park, a regional recreational asset and a huge draw for Fletcher. At the same time, Councilman Bob Davy is correct in his assessment that the project should have a minimal impact on the park.

It is hard to get much cleaner and greener than solar energy. Council should approve the project, provided it gets assurances from Progress Energy that no trees will be cut, and that other options to connect the site to the grid are not feasible.

<p>There does not seem to be a compelling reason for Fletcher to block a solar energy farm next to Fletcher Community Park, although the Town Council is right to get all the facts before approving the project.</p><p>John and Richard Green, co-owners of Innovative Solar Systems of Asheville, want to build the $5 million solar energy farm on land they propose to lease from farmers, across Hoopers Creek from the park.</p><p>The Greens say they’ve invested six months and roughly $50,000 in surveys, site plans, engineering studies and manhours in their 2-megawatt project off Jackson Road, only to be stymied by a single power pole. John Green says he think there is a hidden agenda at work.</p><p>Council members say they are concerned about the project’s potential effect on the aesthetics of the park and on a conservation easement along Hoopers Creek. Council will meet at 4 p.m. today at the park to get clear on what the easement would entail.</p><p>The developers want the town to grant an easement to allow Progress Energy to extend its power line several hundred feet toward the rear of the park. Plans originally called for placing two power poles within the park, but the Greens offered to pay to bury the lines after town officials expressed concerns. The farmers who own the lands have agreed to have it voluntarily annexed into the town, allowing Fletcher to collect property taxes on about 20 acres, plus 20 percent business taxes on an estimated $5 million in solar equipment. The developers have also offered to pay the town $25,000 for the easement.</p><p>It sounds like a good deal, but some town officials are wary. Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Harris and Councilwoman Sheila Franklin are concerned that granting the easement might allow for trees to be cut in the park. Franklin says she also wants to know how the project would impact a conservation easement owned by the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy along Hoopers Creek. She and Henderson say Green should explore other options to connect to the grid.</p><p>The developers say it would cost more than $1 million to upgrade lines on Jackson Road, and that would make the project unfeasible. Moreover, they say granting the easement will not require any trees to be cut, although they acknowledge it would require some to be trimmed.</p><p>Town Council is doing right to make sure it protects the park, a regional recreational asset and a huge draw for Fletcher. At the same time, Councilman Bob Davy is correct in his assessment that the project should have a minimal impact on the park.</p><p>It is hard to get much cleaner and greener than solar energy. Council should approve the project, provided it gets assurances from Progress Energy that no trees will be cut, and that other options to connect the site to the grid are not feasible.</p>